Camp Mystic in Texas Hill County, where 27 young girls and counsellors died during flash flooding, has announced plans to reopen for its 100th anniversary next year.
More than 100 people died in Texas this year after floods swept through the state, hitting Kerr County, home to Camp Mystic and other summer camps, hard on July 4.
The body of an eight-year-old girl who attended Camp Mystic is still missing.
Families were sent an email from the camp announcing it would not be reopening the Guadalupe River camp in 2026 because of the flood damage; instead, they would allow campers to attend the nearby Cypress Lake site.
"We continue to evaluate plans to rebuild Camp Mystic Guadalupe River," the email reads.
"Our planning and procedures will reflect the catastrophic 1,000-year weather event that occurred on July 4, including never having campers return to cabins that had floodwaters inside them."
The camp added they would be designing and creating a memorial dedicated to "the lives of the campers and counsellors lost on July 4th".
"We hope this space will serve as a place of reflection and remembrance of these beautiful girls," the email reads.
"We continue to pray for the grieving families and all those who lost loved ones."
Families have told the New York Times they were not consulted on the memorial.
Cici Steward, the mother of still missing eight-year-old Cile Steward, told the NYT: "Camp Mystic failed our daughters."
"Camp Mystic is pressing ahead with reopening, even if it means inviting girls to swim in the same river that may potentially still hold my daughter's body," she said.
Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act passed
Earlier this month, parents of the girls who died addressed the Texas House and Senate as they approved a series of laws designed to prevent further similar tragedies, known as the Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act.
Local Texas news broadcaster KHOU 11 obtained a copy of Camp Mystic's existing emergency plan: a one-page document that said: "In case of flood, all campers on Senior Hill must stay in their cabins," and "Those on the flats must also stay in their cabins unless told otherwise by the office."
The new laws will prohibit cabins in dangerous parts of flood zones and require camp operators to develop detailed emergency plans, train workers, and install emergency warning systems.
Camps will also be required to notify parents of flood plain risks with a signed acknowledgement, and share plans with local emergency services.
"As camper parents, Cecilia and I know the powerful role that camps can play in the lives of our children," Texas Governor Greg Abbott said.
"We know the anxious anticipation to see your child again after dropping her off at camp.
"Every child who goes to camp should come home to their families, and no parent should ever have to outlive their child or endure this kind of loss."
